"Real estate agent" means any person who acts as agent for any party in the leasing, renting or selling of houses or real estate, for private or public use, or who receives or collects rents for another for a commission or other compensation or who advertises or hands out any sign or device which designates him as an agent for the renting, collecting of rents, leasing or selling of houses or real estate. (Prior code § 11-04-048)